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The Dark Angel

Play trailer Poster for The Dark Angel 1935 1h 46m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Alan Trent (Fredric March) and his cousin, Gerald Shannon (Herbert Marshall), have both loved Kitty Vane (Merle Oberon) since childhood. On leave from the front in World War I, Alan proposes to her, but when his leave is canceled, Kitty spends his last night with him. At the front, Gerald believes Alan has been unfaithful to Kitty, and Alan refuses to contradict him, forcing the friends apart. Later, when Alan is presumed killed in a bombing, Gerald sadly returns home to relay the news to Kitty.

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The Dark Angel

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Critics Consensus

Led by a trio of powerful performances, The Dark Angel offers a well-crafted love story set against the backdrop of World War I.

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Critics Reviews

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Abel Green Variety Miss Oberon is a revelation. Mar 11, 2023 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe An artistic and emotional success - handsomely produced, with a careful eye to detail, and yet compelling and poignant in its play upon the heartstrings. Mar 10, 2023 Full Review Mae Tinee Chicago Tribune Merle Oberon as Kitty, gives a beautifully sincere performance. Mar 10, 2023 Full Review James T. Hamada The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu) Admirably directed by Sidney Franklin, The Dark Angel is a poignant wartime drama, a beautiful love story... Mar 11, 2023 Full Review Landon Laird Kansas City Star A picture that contains beauty in writing, intelligence in direction and sincerity and appeal in acting. Mar 10, 2023 Full Review John Reddington Brooklyn Daily Eagle Blessed by a first-rate job of direction by Sidney Franklin, and three equally impressive acting performances by Merle Oberon, Fredric March, and Herbert Marshal. Mar 10, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Frederic March, Merle Oberon, and Herbert Marshall comprise a love triangle in "The Dark Angel," set in the grimness of World War I. Kitty (Oberon) has grown up with both Alan (March) and Gerald (Marshall) and knows the day will come when she must choose between them. She chooses Alan, but before they can be married, he's called back into service. With just a few hours left, she accompanies him to the meeting point for his troop and stays with him at the hotel. When Gerald, in the same troop, finds out that Alan was at the hotel with a woman, he turns against him, believing that he cheated on Kitty. He refuses him leave and sends him into treacherous battle. Merle Oberon gives a touching performance as Kitty. She's very beautiful and has a lovely presence. Both March and Marshall are very good, March having the more histrionic role. "The Dark Angel" comes off as dated and there's very much a "stiff upper lip, old chap" feeling about it. It's frustrating to see the Alan character behave as he does, but this of course keeps the viewer interested, and Oberon and the supporting characters infuse the atmosphere with warmth. Worth it to see these classic stars. "The Dark Angel" is an old chestnut but a worthy one. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review steve d Decent enough but nothing you haven't seen before. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Another 30s movie, another Fredric March appearance. I do swear that the guy was in everything. Although a wee bit sappy and sentimental, it is well put together. A Sunday afternoon kind of film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member a wonderfully lavish soap in the order of douglas sirk pix (whom i love) this reminded me of a 'lost' sirk pic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Fredric March in a uniform? WOW!!!!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member It's mostly memorable for its solid cast. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Dark Angel

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Cast & Crew

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Sidney Franklin

Director

Fredric March

Alan Trent

Merle Oberon

Kitty Vane

Herbert Marshall

Gerald Shannon

Janet Beecher

Mrs. Shannon

John Halliday

Sir George Barton

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The Dark Angel

The Dark Angel (1935) The Dark Angel (1935) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Alan Trent (Fredric March) and his cousin, Gerald Shannon (Herbert Marshall), have both loved Kitty Vane (Merle Oberon) since childhood. On leave from the front in World War I, Alan proposes to her, but when his leave is canceled, Kitty spends his last night with him. At the front, Gerald believes Alan has been unfaithful to Kitty, and Alan refuses to contradict him, forcing the friends apart. Later, when Alan is presumed killed in a bombing, Gerald sadly returns home to relay the news to Kitty.
Director
Sidney Franklin
Producer
Samuel Goldwyn
Screenwriter
Lillian Hellman, Mordaunt Shairp
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 8, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 24, 2020
Runtime
1h 46m
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